Printing press
In the 1440s, Johann Gutenberg came out with an invention called the printing press. Previously, books were copied down mainly by monks in monastaries, which made them quite rare. Gutenberg’s invention in effect brought the written word to the masses.
In many ways, this brought on a complete revolution. A lasting effect was on the scientific community. Suddenly, scientists working in different locations could popularize their findings with their peers, opening the doors to the scientific revolution. No longer would each scientist have to reinvent the wheel, but instead could build on the research of his peers and predecessors.
It also gave a greater degree of accountability to authors. Since previously each individual page was copied by hand, a text written by one author could vary from book to book. You could never be sure that you were reading the same version as someone else. It also led to greater education for the masses, since now books were more widely available.
Gutenberg may not have set out to revolutionize the way that language was used, but ended up doing just that.
Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg
Born c. 1398
Mainz, Electorate of Mainz
Died February 3, 1468 (aged 70)
Mainz, Electorate of Mainz
Cause of death Natural Causes
Occupation Engraver, Inventor, and Printer, Go;dsmith
Religion Catholic
Spouse Else Wirick zum GutenburgPrinting press in Munich 1811
In the 1440s, Johann Gutenberg came out with an invention called the printing press. Previously, books were copied down mainly by monks in monastaries, which made them quite rare. Gutenberg’s invention in effect brought the written word to the masses.
In many ways, this brought on a complete revolution. A lasting effect was on the scientific community. Suddenly, scientists working in different locations could popularize their findings with their peers, opening the doors to the scientific revolution. No longer would each scientist have to reinvent the wheel, but instead could build on the research of his peers and predecessors.
It also gave a greater degree of accountability to authors. Since previously each individual page was copied by hand, a text written by one author could vary from book to book. You could never be sure that you were reading the same version as someone else. It also led to greater education for the masses, since now books were more widely available.
Gutenberg may not have set out to revolutionize the way that language was used, but ended up doing just that.
Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg Born c. 1398
Mainz, Electorate of Mainz
Died February 3, 1468 (aged 70)
Mainz, Electorate of Mainz
Cause of death Natural Causes
Occupation Engraver, Inventor, and Printer, Go;dsmith
Religion Catholic
Spouse Else Wirick zum GutenburgPrinting press in Munich 1811
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